By Jordan Wald
Vestavia Hills picked up a big region win on Homecoming night Friday, beating Prattville 54-28 .
The game was tied 21-21 at halftime, but the Rebels came out strong in the second half and pulled away for the victory.
The first half went back and forth as both teams scored with ease. Prattville ran the ball well early, while Vestavia answered with big plays from quarterback Charlie Taaffe and running back Carson Purdy. Neither defense could get many stops, and it looked like it would be a close game all night.
That changed in the third quarter. Vestavia surprised Prattville with two onside kicks and recovered both. The extra possessions turned into points, and the Rebels scored three touchdowns in the quarter to take control. Prattville never recovered as Vestavia’s defense finally started getting stops.
The numbers showed how much the Rebels dominated. Vestavia finished with 591 total yards, splitting it almost evenly with 297 rushing and 294 passing. Prattville had 354 total yards, with 231 passing and 123 rushing. Vestavia also held the ball for more than 29 minutes, while Prattville only had it for 18.
Taaffe had another big night, throwing for 280 yards and three touchdowns and adding two more scores on the ground. Purdy led the rushing attack with 145 yards and two touchdowns, including a 55-yard run. The passing game was spread out with Luke Stubbs catching six passes for 114 yards and a touchdown, while Braxton Hunt and Will Ainsworth also found the end zone.
The defense came alive in the second half. Daniel Richardson and Matthew Pattillo both had interceptions that stopped Prattville drives, and Grayer Manown added a key tackle to help slow down the Lions’ rushing attack. Vestavia forced three interceptions total and allowed only one Prattville touchdown after halftime.
Prattville quarterback Will McKay threw for 231 yards and two touchdowns but also had three interceptions. The Lions’ best weapon was running back Triston Blackmon, who carried 23 times for 108 yards and two scores.
The win improves Vestavia Hills’ record to 4-2 overall, 2-2 in 7A Region 3 and in a four-way tie for third place behind Th0mpson and Hewitt-Trussville. The Rebels will return to action on Thursday, October 9, hosting Oak Mountain in key region action.
